Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

CONY-GARDINER FOOTBALL: Mayors put civic pride on the line

Augusta's Roger Katz, Gardiner's Andrew MacLean make friendly wager

By Mechele Cooper mcooper@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

and Mechele Cooper mcooper@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Augusta Mayor Roger Katz said he's looking forward to a plate of Greek lasagna at the A-1 Diner in Gardiner.

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THE WAGER: Gardiner Mayor Andrew MacLean, left, and Augusta Mayor Roger Katz have made a dinner bet over Friday night's Cony-Gardiner football game.

Staff photo by Andy Molloy

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Gardiner Mayor Andrew MacLean is making his own dinner plans for an Augusta eatery.

The two leaders made a friendly wager Monday regarding the outcome of Friday's exhibition football game between Cony High School and Gardiner Area High School.

The longtime rivals will play in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. in Gardiner. It is the 133rd meeting between the two teams.

MacLean said he's since upgraded his bet.

"I've modified my wager a little bit," he said Tuesday, "and what I would like to offer the mayor and first lady of Augusta -- although they're not going to be able to take me up on it, because Cony's not going to win -- is the ultimate dining experience of their choice in any of our fine restaurants in Gardiner.

"I really think they should have a choice."

Katz said he is offering dinner at the Riverfront Barbeque & Grille -- a bet he made freely for "when" Cony wins.

The mayors, who have been friends for five years, did this four years ago when they both were just elected as mayors.

That year, Cony won.

"I'm counting on it again this year," Katz said. "It's the oldest rivalry in the country and I have so much confidence in the Cony team. I made the bet and I knew he couldn't possibly turn me down."

Friday's game is an exhibition game because Gardiner is no longer in the same class as Cony. The teams have not played in the regular season since 2004, when Gardiner dropped from Class A to Class B.

Rather than lose the rivalry, the teams decided to hold an exhibition game. It has been played in the preseason since 2008.

Still, "None of the fans or players consider it to be an exhibition game," Katz said. "It's the biggest game of the year."

Katz, a Cony graduate, plans to attend the game with his wife, Birdie.

He said he heard the Cony team is looking really good.

He said he has fond memories of playing his trumpet in the marching band during halftime at Cony-Gardiner games.

"This was the biggest event of the year when they played against each other in November and everyone went," he said. "No matter how the year ended up with either team it was a good year if you beat the other side and a bad year if you didn't."

MacLean said he grew up in Bridgton and graduated from Lake Region High School in Naples, so he doesn't have the connection Katz has with these games.

But he is quite confident that Gardiner is going to be victorious.

"I look forward to Mayor Katz's ribs from the Riverfront Grille," MacLean said. "This is one of the oldest rivalries in the country and I think it's a great tradition between these two schools. This is something to celebrate. This kind of rivalry is a great high for the two communities."

MacLean said he has a previous obligation and won't be able to attend the game, but will be there in sprit.

"And I will collect my victory wager," he said.

All the proceeds from the games this weekend between Cony and Gardiner, including football and boys and girls soccer and field hockey, will be donated to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care as part of the "Drive Out Cancer Challenge."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com